Seattle gets LSU's Simon who was arrested Thursday

Associated PressSaturday, April 27, 2013

RENTON, Wash. — The Seattle Seahawks selected LSU cornerback Tharold Simon with the 138th overall pick in the fifth-round of the NFL draft, just two days after he was arrested in his hometown of Eunice, La.

Simon was arrested Thursday night on charges of public intimidation, resisting an officer and a noise violation. He was released on bond. His agent, Peter Schaffer, said he is certain Simon acted appropriately and will be exonerated.

The 6-foot-3, 193-pound Simon was widely projected as a middle-round draft choice, and was hoping to be selected as early as Friday night, when the second and third rounds were taking place. He fits Seattle's mold of looking for tall cornerbacks, joining Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner in the Seahawks secondary.

Simon started at cornerback for LSU in 2012, leading the team with four interceptions and nine pass breakups. He was a regular in 2011 in passing situations, but was one of three Tigers suspended one game — along with defensive back Tyrann Mathieu and running back Spencer Ware — for testing positive for synthetic marijuana.